21 January 2015
The preventive effect of adequate magnesium intake on developing type 2 diabetes appears to vary depending on genetic variations and ethnicity, reports a new US study.
The observational study analyzed magnesium intake, cases of type 2 diabetes, and specific genetic variations in 7,287 African-American women and 3,285 Hispanic women between the ages of 50 and 79 (1). The study results showed that the participants’ risk of developing type 2 diabetes varied depending on magnesium intake, genetic variations (polymorphisms) in magnesium-related ion channel genes, and ethnicity. For example, among Hispanic women with low magnesium intake, certain single-nucleotide polymorphisms were associated with an increased risk of diabetes. Among African-American women with high magnesium intake, one specific gene variation was found to have a diabetes-protective effect.
The researchers commented that earlier large prospective studies of men and women have already associated increased magnesium intake with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes (2). The absorption of magnesium (Mg2+) relies on ion channels coded by genes of which several single-nucleotide polymorphisms are known. Such genetic variations in ion channels can significantly influence the body’s magnesium supply and glucose metabolism, and are associated with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (3). A sufficient intake of magnesium may partially compensate for magnesium deficiency caused by such genetic mutations. Further confirmation of these recent observations is needed from future mechanistic studies, the scientists noted.
24 March 2011
Women with an increased intake of vitamin B12 during the first three months of pregnancy are up to eight times more likely to have babies who cry less according to a new Dutch study.
23 July 2013
A new study from Denmark suggests that high doses of resveratrol supplements may counteract cardiovascular benefits of exercise in older men.
22 February 2016
In the USA, 50% of people aged 70 years or older did not consume the EAR (Estimated Average Requirement) for vitamins D, E and K, and 35 to 40% for vitamins C and A. Whilst for the B vitamins, the percentage of older people failing to meet the EAR was between 1 and 30%.
